international

Your Android device, coupled with Google Maps -- in particular the new, offline features -- is a pretty powerful way of finding your way around when you visit another country. Google never settles for 'good enough' though, and today has announced a slew of more detailed maps across selected European, African and Asian countries.
The affected nations are; Croatia, Czech Republic, Greece, Ireland...

Back when Sony announced the Xperia GX and Xperia SX there was no mention of any launch outside of the company's native Japan. The manufacturer was quick to highlight the fact that these devices designed specifically for the Japanese market and that they had no news to share at the time about any international launch plans. That said though, the Xperia GX has now popped up at the FCC and is...

Chinese manufacturer Huawei has announced that its super-slim Ascend P1 will be headed to British shores, arriving first on the Vodafone network. Offering a near-stock Android 4.0 user experience in a 7.69mm-thick chassis, there's a lot to like about Huawei's latest mid-to-high-end smartphone, as we explained in our full review last month. It's no slouch when it comes to specs either, with a...

We haven't heard much from HTC on the subject of Android 4.1 updates of late. When Jelly Bean was first announced, the manufacturer said it was "reviewing the software" in order to determine which devices would be getting an update, but we've yet to see any definitive list of phones to be upgraded. However, it looks like owners of the One S and One XL (that's the international name for the...

Since Android Central launched in 2008, two of the most frequently asked questions we receive from visitors outside of the United States have been When will ShopAndroid ship to my country? And in the case where we do ship to that country, Why is it so expensive to ship to my country?
Recently we introduced our dedicated ShopAndroid Canada store.
Today we're announced that the same stellar...

Uh oh. Seems all is not sweetness down under, with yesterday's news of an impending Jelly Bean update for the Nexus S from Vodafone Australia, today replaced with the news it has been pulled.
The Aussie carrier has put out a new statement on its blog, which reads something like this:
Important news
We’ve just been advised that due to a software issue, the roll-out the of Android 4.1 Jelly...

Last week, O2 in the UK suffered some serious downtime that lasted approximately 24 hours affecting many users of their network. With O2 now back up and running tiptop, O2 is looking to clean up the mess and make good with those affected by the outage by offering some compensation. As noted on their blog and through text messages being sent out, the compensation will work out to three days of...

We're live in London, where ZTE has just announced its new mid to high-end smartphone for Europe, the Grand X. It's a 4.3-inch device with a qHD screen, and a design that will remind Android enthusiasts of the Nexus S and Galaxy Nexus phones. What's also familiar from the Nexus series is the software -- the Grand X runs a near-stock version of Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich (no word on any Jelly...

The slow, global march of new markets receiving Google Play content continues. This time up, it's the turn of France, where as of today, Books are available to download from Google Play.
In countries where Google Play content has been available for some time, we often take it for granted. But, if the Nexus 7 is to be a truly, globally loved device, then the content has to be there. For some it...

With some retailers reportedly cancelling orders of the 64GB Samsung Galaxy S III in parts of Europe, rumors have been circulating that Samsung had canceled that version of its 2012 flagship. However, it seems that’s not quite the case, as we reached out to Samsung to double-check these details, and the manufacturer got back to us saying a release is still planned.
A Samsung spokesperson told...

It seems like the good news week is set to continue for Nexus fans, with reports emerging that the hotly anticipated update to Android 4.1 is set to starting rolling out to the Nexus S over the next couple of days.
Down under, in Australia, Vodafone Australia has posted to their blog the following in relation to to the Jelly Bean update:
Approved by Vodafone, roll out by Google scheduled for...

Apple is locked in legal combat with many Android manufacturers, with a range of tactics being used to try to keep iPad and iPhone competitors off store shelves. In Germany, Apple's had some success using tablet design patents against the likes of Samsung, and it's also attempted to use the same tactics against Motorola's 10.-1inch Xoom.
However, today a court in Dusseldorf, Germany ruled that...

Announced a couple of months ago, the water-resistant Sony Xperia Go has gone on sale in the UK, and is now available SIM-free, as well as subsidized on-contract through O2 UK. The Go is the follow-up to last year's Xperia Active, which won critical praise for its unique, rugged design (which at one point helped it survive being run over by a Jeep).
The Xperia Go is a little sleeker than last...

The latest big name title to arrive on Android, is Square Enix's Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light. Fans of the Tomb Raider series of games will feel right at home, and while Android is pretty much the last place for this title to show up -- it's even on the BlackBerry PlayBook already -- as always, big titles are welcome.
The one, big, caveat at the moment though, is that the title is...

What a pleasant way to start the day. Looks like Google is now starting to ship out pre-orders for the Nexus 7 over here in the UK. Received this morning just before 2am, came my own shipping notice from Google Play confirming that my shiny new Nexus 7 has been shipped.
By my reckoning, it should be arriving on Thursday -- 2 day shipping in mind -- which would sit with the original July 19 date...

Following a warning that their half year profits could drop by up to 80%, shares in Chinese manufacturer, ZTE, dropped by 17% to a 3-year low.
The news continues a run of bad press for ZTE in recent weeks, with reports emerging that allege an FBI investigation also hangs over them amid investigations around the sale of banned equipment to Iran.
ZTE, like fellow Chinese OEM Huawei, is trying to...

It's certainly full steam ahead now, as aside from Google various other retailers across North America are starting to dish out the Nexus 7. The latest addition to the list in Canada, is London Drugs. They're selling the 16GB version at the same price as the Google Play Store, although stocks seem to be limited, at least to start with.
It's fantastic news that so many different retailers are to...

British broadcaster Sky has announced that its new Internet-based, on-demand TV service Now TV will be launching on Android and other platforms tomorrow. Competing with the UK's LoveFilm and the recently-launched Netflix, Now TV promises customers an "easy and commitment-free way to enjoy amazing movies, instantly." The first round of content will be taken from Sky's library of movies, with...

Owners of the HTC One V may well soon receive a notification to update their devices software. The update to version 2.08.401.2 weighs in at 46.77MB, and brings with it in particular one rather tasty new feature.
Support is included within for the HTC Media Link HD, HTC's wireless media streaming device. Not too shabby, and an excellent feature for the entry-level, yet handsome and feature...

HTC proves budget doesn't mean last generation software, with the £150 Desire C carrying Ice Cream Sandwich and Sense 4.0
When buying a smartphone on a budget, compromises often need to be made, usually with screen size, and quality, overall horsepower. But sadly, too often the user experience also suffers. However much you're spending on an Android phone, no-one wants to come away with a...

Portions of this page are modifications based on work created and shared by the Android Open Source Project
and used according to terms described in the Creative Commons 2.5 Attribution License. AndroidCentral is an independent site
that is not affiliated with or endorsed by Google.